The only positive contribution Walker has made to basketball is the modelling he did for the NBA live Computer game a couple of years ago.
Houston is not at his peak at 29. He may be near his peak, but he has at least 4-5 years of good, consistent play in him before any sort of decline. I think that is the perfect age to get a quality, experiences player that can put a team in serious contention if not over the top. ------------------ The key for the Rockets is a winning attitude and mentality which can only be had by winning basketball games.
ok first of all none of thse trades will matter if ther ockets are not in houston anymore and about the topic yeah a.houston would be nice...but hey if we trade drew mobes and walt and macrady leaves after this season... won't we free up our salary cap... couldn't we sign in a nice free agent...maybe a hill...???... as long as we don't buy a whiner that will get payed 36 million and then whine his way out like a B ! + C I-I
Clutch: Actually I went back and edited in his first name, since it was confusing to everyone. Sorry. It certainly would be a stretch to say we have a chance at Houston. But my point is we should be involved in the talks somehow. Maybe offer a whole lot and see what the take is. Same as this LA Crosstown trade business with Miami weasling their way into it. I want us there too. CabbageHead: 1. A.Houston at age 29 & a price tag of $8M, and we have TMass lingering on the bench, how old is TMass anyway? Thank god his contract is up at the end of the season. How about Walt he's 29 but(moves like molasses on a cold day and) acts like he's five years older than that, and we pay him $4.(plus)Million a year. I like Mobes. You know that. We have discussed that before. But Alan Damn Houston,man!!!!! Drew, Mobes and Walt for Allan Houston is NOT a high price to pay. IMHO. 2. Cab: ".... Taylor, he's not worth even a 2nd round draft pick. Any guy over 6'9, averaging over 30mpg, should be getting more than 6 boards a night." Man, you are cold. But that aside ... if you had all the height that this Clipper team has, an athletic teammate like Odom pulling everything down or getting involved like he does,and as poor a production as this whole team is .... shouldn't you be surprised Taylor gets anything at all. Besides, they have him high picking and setting up at the 15-16 foot mark most shifts. RT likes him. I mean really,realy likes him. Although that is not a blanket endorsement, you know it's not because he thinks the guy has no talent or shirks his duty. Any 6-9 forward, in our system, on our roster, also would be hard pressed to glass more than 4-5 a night @ 30 minutes. Ya'll: 1. A piece of the LA Crosstown deal may net us Anderson or someone else. I think the best long term prize in the lot may be Anderson and not Taylor. But landing either would be fine with me. It just would be a lot less costly to get Anderson at this point. I also like Nesby or Kandi. Regardless, we would be ridding ourselves of $4.5plus Million of Walt's contract and landing another building block IMHO. That is the focus on my wish list right now. 2. The trade. The key here is: The Lakers want PJ Brown. They'll not get him. They may settle for Mashburn or Taylor. Miami wants Rice. Clippers are in the running in all of this because they are going to unload some hardware (after deleting the software?). They are not so much interested in getting Rice as they are unloading guys they cannot keep next summer. Rice they will most probably, hell, almost assuredly,lose also. So .... they will trade to Miami or whoever that gives them a producer with some experience but with a comfortable contract. That is Walt. To a "T". They absolutely love Drew. That's Walt and Drew for Anderson and Nesby. Or Mobes, Drew and Walt for some other scenario. I just want us involved somehow.There is room for us.
Popeye: Mobley+Drew+Walt+DetroitPick => Anderson+Nesby Maybe even tweak the deal a bit sending more from Houston to drop Nesby and pick up Olowokandi. Like I have stated many times, Derek Anderson is the real deal. If he could stay healthy for a full damn season, he would be an All-Star, and in my opinion he is just as talented as any other off-guard in this league (outside of the Answer). I would be willing to go to war with an Anderson,Anderson,Francis perimeter for the next 8 years. Add that with a Cato/Thomas/(Olowoandi?) frontline and you might have the start of something special. Hell if I knew Kandi and D'Anderson would both re-sign, I might even consider throwing in the lottery pick...(maybe). You may have a point there about Maurice, but he just doesn't seem like the same sleek, athletic forward he looked like last year. Looks slower, more sluggish this season. Anyhow, whatever it is, I think Derek Anderson is the better choice. Besides, if a 3-way between Houston/lakers/Clippers were to go down, the Lakers would get Taylor anyways, leaving Anderson to Houston. But you are right...I am sure Rudy and the braintrust are looking at these opportunities. There are some things in life that you just can't pass up, and a Derek Anderson/Shandon Anderson/Steve Francis perimeter, is one of those things.
popeye: the entire point of the clippers trading for rice was so they could then immediately move him again for ty hill and larry hughes from the 76ers. personally i think the lakers would be better served to get hughes and hill directly, but it all hinges on how well taylor can do with some good coaching. i don't see the clippers or lakers going for anything the rockets have to offer.
Cabbage- I agree with you on Derek Anderson, he could be a star. I watched him his first couple of years at OSU, then on TV at Kentucky and again with the Cavs. But although I like him I'm not sure if it is the best thing for team chemistry to go from a three guard system of Francis/Anderson/Mobley to Francis/Anderson/Anderson. First as you already mentioned Derek is oft injured (every year since college I believe), second the chemistry between Stevie-Mobley, third if we acquired Derek would S. Anderson become the starting 3 or would Derek come off the bench. My question is here is how would SA react to having to cover the opponents starting 3's every night or how would Derek react to become a 6th man for a career. many players don't accept the bench role very well. All in all, even though DA is a better player, I don't think he is a great match for Houston.
I will continue to agree with everyone that the possibilities that anyone is traded or moved from the Rockets at this point is remote. However ..... mhan: The Clips priorty right now is to unload contracts and get something for Taylor and anyone else they think they cannot keep this sumer at Free Agent Time. They also want picks. We have picks. If you had a choice in acquiring a first round draft pick from Houston, Lakers or Miami who would you want? I agree the Rockets would be hard pressed to get involved but it is not an impossibility. We do have something to offer. We also have a veteran,proven shooter in Walt which would fit their roster well and at a light (for their sub cap roster) $4.5Million salary, they may like him enough to take him in a package with Drew. They love Drew. Or at least they did. As far as Sixers aiming at Rice .... well, someone better tell Miami what the deal is, cause they are hot to trot to get Rice. And he especially would help them right now. It is true Hughes is available, but why go after him when they will be out-negotiated when his contract is up and they already have D. Anderson in the same boat(boat ... no pun intended). Frankly, the Sixers will probably take anything right now, and they would be lucky to get what is being offered from the Clips,if the Clips offer it to them. However, the real deal is the involvement of Riley. he is a snake at deals. he needs some forward help and he needs Rice on the perimeter and in the lockeroom for the big push. 4chuckie: The chemistry between Mobes and Francis is important but not THE deciding factor in any trade possibilities. But if a trade came about, the fact that one guy is tight with another will be superfulous to the decision. I think not only does a 3 year man in Mobes and a very mature Francis understand this, but Rudy and CD point this out frequently to the players. This is not a new subject. As far as court chemistry goes, for a regular roster player and a three year tenure at the pro game, Mobes does a lot of erratic things when accepting and making passes. He does some things that anyone would be quick to point out are NOT in keeping with someone who is in sync and "sympatico" with his court mates. I think Francis has a far better "chemistry" in direct passing, playing lanes, indirect spot passing, creating opportunities, and defensive trading with Thomas, Cato, and Shandon than with Mobes. I love Mobes play at times, he is a free-spirit and his "free safety" type of offense is bewildering to opponents, but he has his limitations too. Although I would like to have him on the roster, I would not be opposed to bringing someone to replace him simply because Mobes has a rapport with another player or knows our system. I disagree ... I think D.Anderson would be an asset to us. His injuries if anything are from over-playing his game and attempting to carry the perimeter and backcourt load for too long in a system that is clearly impaired. The fact that Odom now carries the weight will help his health enormously this year. Ask yourself this. If Francis was left in by Rudy because we did not have a backcourt point guard to spell him in consecutive two or three games while he heals, .... would Francise be showing "wear and tear" two and a half years into his career? You bet! I think this would be a perfect opportunity for us and Anderson. As far as an Anderson versus Anderson problem due to their similiar game .... Shandon is one of the unsung heroes and a HUGE asset to this team.IMHO But he plays a role. Not a position. That, if anything, is the most bewildering thing about his game to opponents and what he now understands. He is very effecetive. But he averages only 30 minutes a game. What do we do with the rest of his game? D. Anderson would also pick up minutes in the single back as the point and in the dual back as a 1/2 with Francis as the other 1/2. That scheme actually is being used in about five other NBA teams this year. It works in a lot of situations. I expect to see more of it, D. Anderson is a natural at that spot. Green Leafy Vegetable: I think they believe Odom when he says he is staying, regardless of any financial pressures or franchise doldrums they are going to go through. I think they are right too. he will be the backbone of a great team one day.I also think Kandi is their center of choice for the future. I also think they really want to keep Taylor frankly, but know regardless of what he says they cannot. He will bolt. So they know Kandi and Odom will anchor a formidable bid to pick up a roster of first round drafts and free agents this summer. Everyone else is expendable. I don't Kandi would be available. AI think Nesby will be. I kinda think of him as a cross between Sam Mack and a very light, younger but just as tenacious CWebb. Blue color worker that can steal the spotlight and the game if you let him get going. Kandi, for all his skill still would be a project for us. But man, what a perfect setting for Hakeem. But as I said, I think they want to keep him, for now. [This message has been edited by popeye (edited February 09, 2000).]
Pop and Cab, I don't see why ya'll are interested in Nesby over the other two possibly available/valuable Clips, or really interested in him much at all. Nesby seems to be an undersized forward or slow 2 guard, a very, very, poor mans SA at best. Anderson and Taylor seem to be far more productive players in terms of totals (PPG, RPG for Mo, APG for Anderson) and shooting %'s. And atleast Mo goes 6' 9" with some bulk. I don't see Nesby offering much (especially with SA, Los and Thomas around), the other two I can buy adding another dimension to the team. I would consider Mobley in a deal for Anderson, but by no means does that appear to be a no-brainer for various reasons (e.g., Mobleys 1/2 capability, though I guess DA may fit this as well, Mobley-Francis chemistry). I think I would rather have Taylor and Mobley on my team than DA + Drew or Mobley and not much youth at the 4. Thus I would rather package Drew and Walt and try to get a relativeky young and talented bigger forward (like Taylor, or Mash or Camby or the like--yeah, I know these last two are quite a strech but maybe with some picks in their also)
Sir Scar: I know this is mostly banter and chat but the trade talk that started this was a significant source who felt that a Laker Clipper trade was imminent and included some involvement with Miami mentioned. That being the case and the fact that we (Houston) would probably have to stick around just for the scraps if we wanted to be involved at all, prompted us to start this "who would be left over and what would it cost us" sort of thing. Mashburn: Maybe. Riley would probably have to include him and another (V.Lenard ?) to acquire Rice, which is Riley's main target. LA has turned down Mash before and Lenard would complicate matters in their backcourt even worse. Anderson: Clippers will likely lose him to Free Agency this summer anyway. As they will to Rice if he came to them, so it was extrapolated for arguments sake only, that we may get an equal opportunity at Anderson in the mix as any other team. Nesby: To make it work the Clips would likely move one other and Nesby's name came up as a possible. The original source mentioned Closs as a sub player in the trade mix. The alternative was Closs or Nesby. That's how he got in the discussion. Taylor: The main target for Jackson and the Lakers. They need a presence at the 4 that they are not getting it. As I and several others postulated the Green/Horry/"Four of the Day" platooning is not productive at this spot. They need an acheiver and they want PJ Brown or B Grant, they will take Taylor or may have to settle for Mashburn afterall. They get players rights, and a good look at both in their system before they decide to keep them. The Chaff: The leftovers include Fisher(nope, hate his contract), Horry maybe(nope, he would be redundant in our roster), T Knight(ah ... nope), Mashburn(he likely would not be there at the end, as Clips would pick up his salary (similiar to Walts) and he'll be gone to the Lakers ... which would give us a crack at Taylor), Lenard(Yes, would help us,depending on what we plan to do next year, and his contract is nice), Anderson(hell yeah!), Nesby ( Yep like his game, good contract), Kandi (almost a certainty that he will not be included,IMHO. The Wish List(cap considerations notwithstanding): 1. Taylor, 2 or 3 Mashburn, 3 or 2 Anderson, 4 Lenard, 5 Nesby We lose these primary people(others to cap consider): Walt and Drew for any one of the 1,2,3 Mobes and Walt for any of the 1,2,3 and one other. Walt, Mobes and Drew for any two of the 1,2,3.
1. Anderson 2. Anderson 3. Anderson 4. Taylor In that order. Anyhow, I don't see any problem between Shandon and Derek. Like Popeye stated, Shandon plays a role, not a position. Runs the floor, plays tough defense, gets rebounds (excellent rebounder...a move like this gets him closer to the basket). Let me ask you all this: What do you think Mobley+Drew+Walt would land you? Anderson+Nesby? Would you give that up for Anderson+Nesby?
From what I hear, the trade of Maurice Taylor will be a difficult task. David Falk has made a personal vendetta against the Clippers and wishes to stick it to them by disallowing them any compensation for Maurice Taylor, a sure bet to leave after the season. Therefore any trade of Mo has to be approved by the self-appointed king of the NBA Mr. Falk. Thus, any attempts to obtain Maurice Taylor must be done with caution. This looks to be the start of another chain reaction of destructive events for the Clippers. With Taylor and Anderson leaving, coupled with the discussions involving the movement of the Kandi-man have proved to wear on the psyche of Lamar Odom. What looked to be the blossoming of a franchise player in LALA land has now become nothing more than a place where stars go to die. Mr. Odom has shown little interest in recent games and what once looked to be the leading contender for the rookie of the year honors has now be lapped by the beloved Mr. Francis. It would not be shocking to see in the near future a trade demand for this fine young specimen.
Thanks for clarifying where ya’ll were coming from. My view is that I don't want Nesby or Leonard for either Drew or Mobley unless they are truly throw-ins (see below). Generally, I am not much interested in retaining the services of Nesby, Leonard or Walt for that matter, unless they are really happy to have a small, small back-up role over the long-term. However, I would *maybe* part with Mobley if it got me for Anderson or Mashburn (as the principal parts of the trade, of others have to be worked in that is fine), or part with Drew for Taylor. But as far as anyone else, I view them as pretty inconsequential given guys like Stevie, SA, Los, Thomas and either Drew/Mobes (whichever isn't traded) to man the 1-3 positions. As for Falk, he might be inclined to facilliate a sweetheart trade with us (he did help bring SA here and msut respect our org), so I don't see it as out of the question if he is supposed to be the bottleneck. The Clips are faced with losing him for nothing, at least they might get Drew in return.
You are close to it TraJ but as Sir Scar says, now that a rapport and relationship has been established with us maybe Falk would not balk at a deal in which we were involved in some way.
Is Falk Anderson's agent? I must have forgot that. But I thought I remembered Anderson's agent "kicking and screaming" most of the way through the free agency process. It didn't seem to me like he wanted Anderson to come here because of the money. I thought he was pushing for Indiana if he couldn't get the right price for his client in Utah.
popeye "The Legend" continues to impress ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
we had better get mo taylor. bottom line. the end. who cares about johnny. taylor means nba finals. you heard here first. i am drunk. but i dont care ------------------ "Win the game, baby!" -Rudy T in the fourth quarter of game 4 of the 1995 NBA Finals
virgin.... Bold, but I respect you for it. Anyone that attempts to post clear and concise messages while toasted and has the balls to admit it....as long as it doesn't happen every night(that can get annoying)....I gotta respect. Bottoms up.... Gascon ------------------ "Have we not here the best cards in the game to win this easy match played for a crown?....." Bill Shakespeare
